Denmark is moving towards establishing a prohibition on the online usage of “deepfake” technology, which encompasses digital alterations that can distort reality and propagate misinformation. The Danish government announced on Thursday that a diverse coalition within parliament is in favor of enhancing protections against deepfakes, with an anticipated legislative proposal aimed at criminalizing the distribution of these digital forgeries of personal traits.
Jakob Engel-Schmidt, Denmark’s Culture Minister, highlighted the urgent need for protective measures against misinformation, indicating that it is time to signal tech companies about their responsibilities. Recent statements suggest that these actions might form the most comprehensive governmental approach yet in addressing misinformation generated by deepfake technology, which allows for the fabrication of highly convincing yet fake content through artificial intelligence tools. Deepfakes typically manifest as images or videos but can also include audio uploads. They have been notoriously utilized to falsely represent actions and words of individuals, including celebrities like Taylor Swift and Pope Francis.
Countries worldwide have undertaken different strategies to handle the challenge of deepfakes, often focusing on explicit sexual content. The United States, for example, implemented bipartisan legislation in May, prohibiting the intentional dissemination or threats to disseminate intimate images, which includes deepfakes, without consent. Similarly, South Korea introduced stricter penalties and enforced rigorous control over social media platforms to combat deepfake pornography last year.
Proponents of Denmark’s initiative argue the rapid evolution of technology may soon make it difficult to differentiate between authentic and manipulated content. The ministry pointed out that fabricated images and videos could easily become embedded in the public’s subconscious, leading to deep-seated doubts and a faulty understanding of what is real. The policy is, therefore, designed to ensure individuals maintain control over their personal images and voice.
The proposal does offer exceptions for “parodies and satire,” although it remains unclear how these categories will be defined or regulated. The rules are intended exclusively for implementation within Denmark and do not entail fines or imprisonment for violators, although some form of compensation might be considered. The ministry hopes to propose amendments to Danish law this summer, aiming for adoption by the end of the year or early 2026, ensuring that they comply with international and European Union legal requirements.